Social Media

Politics & Civic Engagement

Politics and Civic Engagement in African American communities across the nation share a common thread, whether those communities are north, south, east or west. The quest for freedom, full citizenship, and equal human and civil rights largely define the historical political narrative of Black Folks in America.

Featured Articles: Politics & Civic Engagement

During the early years of the 20th Century, African Americans occupied settlements in various parts of the city of Austin. By and large, these residential communities had churches at their core. Some had Black-run businesses and schools for African American youth. Though surrounded by Anglo neighborhoods, these island enclaves functioned as fairly autonomous residential neighborhoods often organized around family ties, common religious practices, and connection to pre-emancipation slave-status relationships with common slave holders/land owners.